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In a cafe located in North Hollywood, Eric and Michael Klaus were negotiating the profit distribution of Jurassic Park.
Eric had already agreed upon receiving 7% for the novel's royalties. However, the negotiations entered a stalemate when it came to the novel's film and television adaptation rights.
Michael Klaus was an experienced publisher, so there was no way he would be unable to gauge the potential within the novel's film and television adaptations. Eric didn't raise any objection to receiving a smaller share in the royalties distribution which made Michael Klaus fall under the misconception that he was young and inexperienced. Therefore, he proposed that his publishing company receive the rights to the adaptation while they would both share the profits from the adaptation.
Hearing Michael's proposal, Eric bluntly refused, "That's impossible, Michael."
Michael Klaus was somewhat taken aback by Eric's decisive refusal, but he quickly composed himself and said, "Eric, hear me out. When 20th Century Fox had wanted to buy the film and television adaptation rights for the novel I previously told you about, I was the one who negotiated with them. As a result, the author and I each made over $1 million. If the author had personally negotiated, he might not even have made $500,000. Such is the difference between an individual and a publishing house."
The two continued discussing for more than ten minutes. Michael Klaus continued to entice Eric, even taking the initiative to lower his own share of the novel's royalties.
In the end, to his disappointment, Michael Klaus discovered that Eric was not the inexperienced youth he had believed him to be. Instead, he was more like a shark who had swam through troubled waters for years. Despite not being very familiar with the publishing industry, he had been able to make keen and accurate guesses as to the industry's ins and outs.
What left Michael Klaus even more surprised was that Eric was not impulsive despite his youth. Despite discovering his intentions, Eric did not bluntly point out his discovery, but rather subtly implied it.
Michael Klaus was forced to swallow the bitter pill and finally gave up on Jurassic Park's film and television adaptation rights.
Afterwards, the negotiations went smoothly, and the two of them quickly signed a contract.
"Nice doing business with you, Eric. You will definitely not regret letting me take care of Jurassic Park." After signing the contract, Michael Klaus went back to his gentle demeanor as if his shrewd and cunning demeanor earlier had been nothing but an illusion.
"Nice doing business with you too, Michael. I hope you're right."
The two shook hands, sat back down and continued chatting when Eric casually said, "Michael, among your personal connections, is there anyone that works at a film studio?"
Michael Klaus's eyebrows jumped and he quickly said, "Of course! That's how I managed to sell that other novel to 20th Century Fox? I have a few connections in other film studios, as well. During my tenure at Simon & Schuster, I had once been responsible for keeping in contact with film studios. That's why, Eric, if you let my publishing house handle Jurassic Park's film and television adaptation rights, I can directly recommend it to producers from The Big Six."
Eric shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about that anymore, Michael. I would like to keep all of Jurassic Park's copyrights in my own hands. Actually, I'm currently working on a script, and if possible, I had hoped that you could help me recommend it to some film studios."
Having his hopes extinguished once more, Michael Klaus was no longer that interested in Eric's script, but he still asked out of politeness, "Could you tell me a bit about your script?"
"It goes like this," Eric paused, organized his train of thought and continued, "18 years ago, 17-year-old Mike O'Donnell was set to participate in the most important basketball game of his life. If he did well, he would be able get a full scholarship to any Ivy League school of his choice. However, before the start of the game, his girlfriend Scarlett informed him that she was pregnant. On the way to the stadium, Mike threw away the basketball in his hands, and decided to shoulder his responsibilities as he resolutely left behind his budding sports career. 18 years later, time has passed and his glory has faded, Mike has become a middle-aged man full of regrets, and his marriage with Scarlet is on the verge of collapse…"
Eric didn't go into the details but briefly narrated the story. After witnessing Mr. and Mrs. Runkle's quarrel a few days ago, he had suddenly recalled the film 17 Again starring Matthew Perry and Zac Efron.
'A middle-aged man's soul inside the body of a 17 year-old boy? Isn't this simply perfect for me?' Eric had thought.
Michael Klaus' eyes became increasingly brighter as he looked at Eric with admiration. He had just finished an outstanding novel, yet he was already writing another unique and interesting script.
***
In fact, time travel films were a relatively new concept that had just been introduced a few years ago but their popularity was quickly increasing, yet, the supply was pitifully scarce. Therefore, as long as the film was even half-decent, it would be a hit at the box office.
Not to mention, the 1985 box office champion, Back To The Future, this year alone, two films related to time travel had been very well received.
18 Again!, after just two weeks of screening, had already made twice its budget, recouping all investment, and was now beginning to make profit.
Big would be even more successful, earning over $100 million at the box office. The film would turn Tom Hanks into a star and also make Penny Marshall the first female director with a film that earned more than $100 million at the North American box office.
***
"It's a good story, Eric. But, did you know that time travel scripts are a dime a dozen nowadays? Not to mention, you're a bonafide newcomer."
In order to gain the upper hand during the negotiations, Michael Klaus put his cunning fox mask back on. He had been wallowing in frustration due to being unable to obtain Jurassic Park's film and television adaptation rights, so this was his chance to make a profit.
Eric smiled faintly. How could he not see through Michael Klaus' thoughts? He stretched out five fingers and directly said, "50% commission!"
"What?!" Michael Klaus exclaimed.
Eric continued, "Michael, you heard correct. If you are able to sell my script, I will give you 50% of what I get for it as commission. However, I have a condition."
Sure enough, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, Michael Klaus heard Eric's words and sighed at how this young man had him wrapped around his little finger.
"What is it?"
"I want to play the role of young Mike O'Donnell."
"That's impossible!" Michael Klaus immediately denied him, "Even the film's director might not necessarily have the power to make such decisions regarding casting, not to mention you, a fledgling writer."
"You know there is a saying: man proposes, God disposes," Eric said, "Without trying, how would you know it's impossible? Also, with Big's release, the chances for it happening have gone up a notch."
Michael Klaus was taken aback and he could not help but ask, "What does this have to do with Big?"
Eric casually stirred his cup of coffee with a spoon and replied, "I think that film is likely to earn more than $100 million at the box office, and if I'm right, someone might consider taking a look at a script with a similar genre and a plot that does not lose out in the slightest."
Michael Klaus had yet to see Big, but he didn't doubt Eric's words and said, "Alright, Eric. I will try, so about the commission…"
"Michael, you greedy old man, are you trying to make more out of this than I, the author!"
Michael Klaus scratched his nose in embarrassment and said, "Hey, don't say that. Even if you were to be cast as a newcomer actor, your pay wouldn't be any less than $500,000. As for the script, it would already be considered great if we even get $200,000."
Despite saying that, Michael Klaus didn't mention the commission again. When they were about to part ways after leaving the coffee shop, he suddenly said, "Actually, Eric, I can't help but think that you truly would be perfect for the role of young Mike O'Donnell. While we were discussing the contract, I truly felt like I was negotiating with an older, experienced businessman, not an 18-year-old fresh out of high-school."
Eric smiled, "Don't mind the details, Michael. I'll give you the script in two days. I hope you'll be able to bring me some good news."